The most helpful favourable review

The most helpful critical review

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 starsThe Blue World
Now that all the negative press, the poor box office, the stories about why Shyamalan moved this film to Warner Bros, the stories about Shyamalan's supposed meglomania has died down a bit, it was time to see "Lady in the Water."

I am a big fan of Shyamalan's work particularly "The Village." Most of his films have been box office successes until this one and...

2.0 out of 5 stars"Man may have forgotten how to listen"
This interpretation of a bed time story that first introduces characters weirder than the ones in "Batteries Included." We are lead to believe they are all in some sort of transition in life and are given a purpose. On the surface they are helping a fairytale character get back to her world.

This review is from: Lady in the Water (Widescreen Edition) (Bilingual) (DVD)

This interpretation of a bed time story that first introduces characters weirder than the ones in "Batteries Included." We are lead to believe they are all in some sort of transition in life and are given a purpose. On the surface they are helping a fairytale character get back to her world.

The film has a "B" movie knockoff of a Spielberg feel. Every time they look up you expect a bicycle crossing the moon.

The characters and the actors look like cardboard knockoffs of famous actors more than people. Bryce Dallas Howard in make up looks like a young Tilda Swinton.

Then "Whisper in the Noise" mangles a great Dylan song "Times are a Changing"

This review is from: Lady in the Water (Widescreen Edition) (Bilingual) (DVD)

Now that all the negative press, the poor box office, the stories about why Shyamalan moved this film to Warner Bros, the stories about Shyamalan's supposed meglomania has died down a bit, it was time to see "Lady in the Water."

I am a big fan of Shyamalan's work particularly "The Village." Most of his films have been box office successes until this one and though "LITW" definitely has some problems: the plot is too complicated and the storyline too convoluted, overall it is very thoughtful,persuasive and touching...very much a fairy tale, very much a personal, emotionally available film from Shyamalan.

For many, all this business about the Blue World, the Narf (a resplendent, totally believable, vulnerable Bryce Howard as Story), the green creature whose goal it is to kill her, etc, etc. is negligible at best and silly and off-putting at worst but there is also no doubt that Shyamalan is committed to this material, casts it perfectly (Paul Giamatti as the man who protects, discovers and leads Story's return to the Blue World, the excellent Jeffrey Wright as a crossword puzzle addict whose son holds the key to Story's return) and films it with obvious delight and love.

"Lady in the Water" is not a great film nor is it Shyamalan's best: what it is, is a charming little film about our need for home and the comforts derived therein. Shyamalan also has the sense to steal from the very best: in this case "The Wizard of Oz" and his take on this material, as usual is pristine, his moviemaking above reproach.

This review is from: Lady in the Water (Widescreen Edition) (Bilingual) (DVD)

Lady in the Water is the latest movie from M.Night Shyamalan,and it isa weird one.i could make little sense of it,and there seemed to be somegaping plot holes.to me,it seemed to be a philosophy lesson attimes,which is good if you want a philosophy lesson,but i didn't.add tothat,to me there was a lot of overacting going on.the movie just didn'tmake a lot of sense.Shyamalan says this is a fairy tale(which heapparently created)he used to tell his children went hey were young.fora young child,this would probably be entertaining,and some adults mightenjoy it.normally i watch a movie to be entertained,and don't worryabout plot holes or gaps in logic.but for me,there were just too manyto overlook.Not a horrible movie,by any means but not as good as itcould have been.3/5

This review is from: Lady in the Water (Widescreen Edition) (Bilingual) (DVD)

and the film is something unusual and enjoyable you can slip into, allowing your mind to slide its focus away from your usual world. If you're not able to accept you're watching something that can never be, then forget about it. Otherwise, this is something original, and oddly sweet, that is worth watching once. Fairy tales can be for grown ups, too. Not the most brilliant film I've ever watched, but thoroughly enjoyable mind candy (and not standard Hollywood crap) nonetheless.

This review is from: Lady in the Water (Widescreen Edition) (Bilingual) (DVD)

this movie was so bad and so boring that I actually fell asleep watcing it. when i did manage to stay awake watching it, it was still a bad movie from start to finish. why did the previews make this out to be a horror movie? it's nothing more then a boring faerie tale (not for kids though) anyway, this movie was a big miss and one of the worst movies I ever watched.

This review is from: Lady in the Water (Widescreen Edition) (Bilingual) (DVD)

Not sure what to say,,,,,,,,,,,this flick is no question my worse experience ever. It was extremely painful to watch,,there is like nothing worth talking about, not to mentioned a stupid story to follow. Holy molly, this flick was bad. Not to mentioned it bombed so badly at the box office,,,and I still got suckered into checking it out,,,I truly deserve what I got!! Don't see this flick, you will regret it!!